Father mourns murder of Venezuelan mother of 4

Guimar Jose Rausseo Marcano, a 35-year-old mother of four, came to TT from Venezuela two years ago with her father, Pedro, to find work and build a better life. That mission was shattered on Monday when her body was found with that of three men in a field at Daly Road, New Grant. All four bodies had gunshot wounds to the heads.

Pedro now has to take care of his four grandchildren, ages 15, 12, ten and eight and is making arrangements to bury his daughter.

At about 6.30 am on Monday, a farmer was taking his goats to Daly Road when he saw the bodies and called the police. Investigators believe Marcano, Aaron George, 36, Darnell Mitchell, 35, and Jose Serrano were killed elsewhere and their bodies dumped.

At the Forensic Science Centre in St James on Tuesday, Pedro described his daughter as a fighter and a family-oriented person. He said all she ever wanted to do was provide for her family and ensure that they could live a comfortable life.

“She was always taking care of her children and her family. She was a caring, kind-hearted person. Having to lose a daughter is an indescribable pain. There is nothing that I can say that would express how I feel right now. All I can say is I feel terrible.”

Pedro told Newsday Marcano’s husband was killed in Venezuela.

He said he was told of his daughter’s murder by a neighbour at their Hope Road, Princes Town home.

“In a way, I am still sitting there waiting for her. I never thought in my wildest dreams we would have faced something like this when we came here. We thought we were coming to a safe haven.” One tenant told Newsday on Tuesday that none of Marcano’s relatives have returned to the apartment since Monday.

Pedro appealed for assistance to take care of his grandchildren, saying he only needs the assistance until he could get on his feet. He also asked for help to make arrangements for his daughter’s funeral.

“Even if I could get the help for the children. I now have this responsibility. I am pleading for the government’s help.”

While relatives of the other victims were reluctant to speak to the media, their grief was visible.

One relative, upon identifying the body of one of the victims, had to be carried by other relatives to the St James infirmary to be treated.

Up to press time, police had not yet established a motive for the murders.